Thomas Partey’s early strike via a goalkeeper error helped Ghana secure a 1-1 draw with hosts Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday, as they became the first African side to book a place at the World Cup in Qatar.

Ghana advance to the finals on the away goals rule after the first leg finished goalless on Friday, and will take part in their fourth World Cup after appearing in three in a row between 2006 and 2014.

The visitors took the lead at the Abuja National Stadium on 10 minutes when Partey’s speculative shot from outside the penalty-box squirmed under goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, who should have made a comfortable save.

Nigeria equalised via a penalty as Denis Odoi clattered into Ademola Lookman in the box, and William Troost-Ekong’s thunderous spot-kick nestled in the top corner, but they could not find the winner they needed.

Nigeria had qualified for six of the previous seven World Cups dating back to the United States in 1994, and their absence from this year’s tournament will spark an inquest from the country’s football authorities.

But for Ghana, and their newly appointed technical advisor Chris Hughton, it is a major triumph in a qualification campaign in which they never really impressed and had looked a shadow of the side that reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2010.

They defended for much of the 90 minutes in Abuja, rarely looking threatening after they scored, but also faced few alarms themselves from a Nigeria side devoid of attacking threat.

Nigeria thought they had a second when Victor Osimhen scored, but the VAR correctly ruled he was offside in the build-up.

Emmanuel Dennis headed wide for the home side in the second-half and Osimhen sent a bicycle-kick past the post, but it was largely comfortable for Ghana in the closing stages as they held on to the dismay of most of the 60,000 supporters in Abuja.

Nigeria vs Ghana highlights

• GOAL! Keeper error gifts Partey the opener

• GOAL! Nigeria back in it through Troost-Ekong

Match report

Tuesday 29 March 2022 21:17 , Marc Mayo

Well, what a night that was - a hugely decisive one for both Ghana and Nigeria.

Thanks for following our live match blog, and join us again soon.

Recap the action with our match report.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 21:13 , Marc Mayo

Despite the scenes in Abuja, Ghana deserve the final say on this night.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 21:09 , Marc Mayo

Fan unrest was another sour note on Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup tonight.

Read the full story.

Another angle of the unrest

Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:59 , Marc Mayo

Meanwhile, in Abuja...

Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:54 , Marc Mayo

Senegal will join Ghana in Qatar!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:53 , Marc Mayo

Meanwhile, in Dakar...

Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:43 , Marc Mayo

Penalties are underway between Senegal and Egypt!

Follow the game live.

It’s been one hell of a story for Jojo Wollacott!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:43 , Marc Mayo

The Swindon goalkeeper spent time on loan at Clevedon Town, Weymouth, Truro and six other clubs while being loaned out by Bristol City - and now he’s off to a World Cup!

Troubling scenes in the stadium

Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:40 , Marc Mayo

A section of fans appeared to have rushed the pitch, leading to this response from police.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:36 , Marc Mayo

We also have coverage of Portugal’s World Cup play-off against North Macedonia, which the Selecao lead courtesy of a Bruno Fernandes strike.

Follow that game live.

Elsewhere in CAF qualifiers...

Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:33 , Marc Mayo

The other three play-off ties are getting underway, between Morocco and DR Congo, Tunisia and Mali, and Algeria and Cameroon.

Senegal and Egypt are heading for penalties with the AFCON champions a goal up in Dakar to level their play-off tie on aggregate.

Hop over to our live blog to follow that match.

World Cup draw details

Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:26 , Marc Mayo

The draw is scheduled to take place on Friday, April 1, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

The draw ceremony is scheduled to begin at 5pm BST.

Find out the full seedings, pots and schedule.

All smiles in the Ghana camp!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:20 , Marc Mayo

The Eagles could be well represented in Qatar

Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:16 , Marc Mayo

Ghana are making their fourth trip to the World Cup after missing out in 2018

Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:13 , Marc Mayo

Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:08 , Marc Mayo

Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:05 , Marc Mayo

A minor scuffle between Nigeria’s Abdullahi and a couple of Ghanaian stars, but otherwise it is all smiles for the Black Stars!

They celebrate with their away fans as the Abuja locals look on in shock.

FULL TIME!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:03 , Marc Mayo

GHANA HAVE DONE IT!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:03 , Marc Mayo

90+5 mins: Kyereh is back to turn Aina’s run into touch, and a final launch is flicked on by Osimhen - and into touch.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 20:00 , Marc Mayo

90+4 mins: It’ll be Simon... over the bar.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:59 , Marc Mayo

90+3 mins: A free-kick to Nigeria, just 25 yards out, after a foul at a high ball...

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:58 , Marc Mayo

90+1 mins: Partey steals the ball high up the pitch, allowing Bukari to let loose on goal. His shot goes wide.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:58 , Marc Mayo

90 mins: Five minutes added on and Ghana have the ball...

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:57 , Marc Mayo

89 mins: Nigeria are really running out of steam now, Abdullahi going into the book.

Ghana swap Afena-Gyan out for Wriedt.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:55 , Marc Mayo

86 mins: The quality of set-piece deliveries has been shocking tonight, and Simon is the latest to send a free-kick deep and out for a goal kick.

Not good enough for the Super Eagles, who send Umar on for Bassey.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:52 , Marc Mayo

84 mins: Bookings for Ghanaian dissent, namely Partey and Afena-Gyan.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:51 , Marc Mayo

83 mins: CLOSE!

In a parallel universe somewhere, Osimhen has just scored the greatest goal in recent Nigerian footballing history.

Instead, in this universe, a looping ball drops for the striker to smash on an acrobatic half-volley from 18 yards out - and his shot goes just off-target.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:48 , Marc Mayo

80 mins: Dangerous from the hosts as a nice ball into the box reaches Osimhen, who struggles to collect the ball from behind him and claims a foul as he hits the deck. Nothing doing.

The crowd rises to urge their team towards a stunning late winner...

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:46 , Marc Mayo

79 mins: Bags of experience coming off the bench there for Eguavoen, who still has Iheanacho to turn to if he desires.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:45 , Marc Mayo

78 mins: Two Nigeria changes, and not before time to be honest, with Ighalo and Musa on for Dennis and Etebo.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:44 , Marc Mayo

77 mins: Kyereh cuts inside to launch a shot high and wide. A reminder, if only a small one, that the Black Stars are a threat on the counter.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:43 , Marc Mayo

75 mins: So, 15 minutes to go in this crucial World Cup play-off.

It’s all square on aggregate but Ghana’s away goal gives them the advantage.

Next goal wins, it’s fair to say?

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:41 , Marc Mayo

73 mins: Ghana make a change as Kudus is replaced by Bukari.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:38 , Marc Mayo

70 mins: Neat footwork from both Simon and Bassey down the hosts’ left, which draws a free-kick.

The ball is met by Dennis but Wollacott is there to make a fine reflex save!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:35 , Marc Mayo

68 mins: Better from Nigeria as Osimhen crafts a move down the right, and the cross isn’t bad (or particularly good) and Etebo fires over.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:33 , Marc Mayo

65 mins: A decent delivery from Kyereh passes through the box without serious intervention, only an Amartey flick that drifts well wide.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:32 , Marc Mayo

64 mins: Ghana are settling into the half nicely now and Afena-Gyan produces a lovely couple of spins to shake off defenders, before poking an effort goalwards from the D and winning a corner.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:28 , Marc Mayo

61 mins: A change from Eguavoen as Simon, who started the first leg, replaces Lookman down the left wing.

A very decent shift from the Leicester winger, on his full international debut.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:26 , Marc Mayo

58 mins: Close!

If anyone is going to be the hero for Nigeria tonight, you sense it will be Osimhen. The Napoli forward improvises a delicious flick towards goal after a cross bounces up - but it goes wide.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:24 , Marc Mayo

57 mins: Young striker Afena-Gyan cuts something of a lonely figure up top and Ghana win a rare throw high on the right wing, which nobody rushes up to support - or even take.

The move is quashed and Nigeria are back in possession.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:22 , Marc Mayo

54 mins: Close!

A much better delivery from Lookman on the out-swinging corner and Dennis gets his head on it, but directs his effort downwards and half a yard wide of the far-post.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:19 , Marc Mayo

52 mins: Odoi, now at left-back, is caught by a simple ball down the flank and Nigeria fail to capitalise - Aribo arriving for a difficult volley which pings wide.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:17 , Marc Mayo

50 mins: A direct play upfield earns Nigeria a corner and Lookman goes short, before being well marshalled by the Ghanaian defenders and Kuddus steals the ball.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:15 , Marc Mayo

47 mins: Reading right-back Yiadom slots in down his usual flank, moving Odoi away from where he committed a penalty in the first-half.

And a chance now for Ghana to load the box after Uzoho plays a lame pass right out of play from no position of pressure.

The corner comes out to Yiadom, whose slap goalwards is cleared.

Kick-off! Nigeria 1-1 Ghana

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:12 , Marc Mayo

Three Ghana changes at the restart - Iddrisu, Ayew and Issahaku are off for Yiadom, Owusu and Kyereh.

Nigeria send Abdullahi on for Onyeka.

Here come the players!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:09 , Marc Mayo

Buckle up for another 45 minutes...

Confirmation of the earlier disallowed goal

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:08 , Marc Mayo

How the hosts pulled level

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:05 , Marc Mayo

Nigeria levelled from the spot

Tuesday 29 March 2022 19:01 , Marc Mayo

It was Thomas Partey who put Ghana in a commanding position

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:59 , Marc Mayo

(Video only available in some regions)

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:55 , Marc Mayo

Both teams take part in a huddle on the pitch before heading down the tunnel.

Don’t go anywhere, as we are set for a cracker of a second-half. That away goal means there will be NO extra-time, it must be finished in the next 45 minutes...

Half-time!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:53 , Marc Mayo

The Tunisian referee blows his whistle and we are all level at the break, but with advantage Ghana after their away goal.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:51 , Marc Mayo

45+3 mins: Drifting towards half-time with two men on the deck, Aribo and Iddrisu innocently clashing heads while competing for the ball. They should be fine to continue.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:49 , Marc Mayo

45+2 mins: Chance!

Aribo is there to cause problems for Ghana, forcing Wollacott to turn the ball away for a corner.

Another looped delivery is headed goalwards by Balogun and the goalkeeper flaps at the ball, which is flicked towards the far-post and hacked away!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:48 , Marc Mayo

45 mins: A momentary pause as Amartey receives treatment for tangling with Osimhen in that attack.

We will have FOUR minutes of stoppage time.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:46 , Marc Mayo

43 mins: A lovely run and control from Osimhen to spearhead a direct attack for Nigeria, until he fires a cross way over the heads of his onrushing teammates.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:44 , Marc Mayo

41 mins: Lookman sends in a free-kick from the right, a ball delivered far too high and deep as the chance goes.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:42 , Marc Mayo

39 mins: What can the teams do before half-time?

A Nigeria goal would represent a monumental turnaround in such a short space of time, with a second for Ghana putting them right in line for a ticket to Qatar.

OFFSIDE!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:38 , Marc Mayo

35 mins: Well, it was a big surprise that the flag did not go up and VAR eventually recognises that Osimhen was a good yard or so ahead of the last defender as that ball came forward.

He did very well to beat Wollacott to the ball, and then to steady himself and finish, but it is disallowed after a long check.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:36 , Marc Mayo

34 mins: Osimhen beats the offside trap to score into an empty net!

But VAR wants a look...

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:34 , Marc Mayo

31 mins: It has been one hell of an opening half hour in this one, a fully entertaining affair with so much at stake.

Ghana have looked decent in possession but the ball has largely been held by the hosts, although this bouncy, unpredictable pitch is making for difficult play.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:29 , Marc Mayo

27 mins: The attempt from the free-kick hits the wall.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:28 , Marc Mayo

25 mins: Amartey is FURIOUS! Osimhen bursts past the defender and draws the foul, leading to a yellow card.

It was perhaps actually Djiku who sent the striker to the ground, with Amartey appearing to claim an earlier handball.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:27 , Marc Mayo

23 mins: What a tie we have on our hands here, with Nigeria effectively halving the deficit after what their opponents will surely see as a moment of controversy.

Away goals still hand Ghana the advantage, however...

GGGOOOOOAAALLLLL! Nigeria 1-1 Ghana | Troost-Ekong, 21'

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:24 , Marc Mayo

21 mins: The captain buries it!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:23 , Marc Mayo

20 mins: After last week’s VAR saga went against the Super Eagles, this tight call has gone their way and Troost-Ekong will step up with the penalty...

PENALTY NIGERIA

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:23 , Marc Mayo

19 mins: Sadok Selmi watches Odoi clip Lookman in the box and gives the spot-kick!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:21 , Marc Mayo

18 mins: It’s all happening in the Ghana box!

Lookman jinks past one man and hits the deck, with the referee dismissing the home fans’ fervent penalty calls.

Wollacott is then called into action with a smart close-range save and... we’re going to VAR!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:19 , Marc Mayo

16 mins: Aribo creates space with a nice turn but his pass into the area is cut out.

All the onus on the Super Eagles - who with away goals now need to score TWICE...

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:16 , Marc Mayo

13 mins: A strong reply from Nigeria, who have gone close through Osimhen and Wollacott is then called into action after a goalmouth scramble, which ends with the offside flag raised.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:15 , Marc Mayo

12 mins: Dear, oh dear... Uzoho makes a dreadful error as Partey lines up a hit from outside the box.

The low shot is right at the goalkeeper, who gets it all wrong to allow the ball to hit the back of the net. Nigeria have it all to do!

GGGOOOOOAAALLLLL!! Nigeria 0-1 Ghana | Partey, 11'

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:13 , Marc Mayo

11 mins: Partey time for Ghana!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:12 , Marc Mayo

10 mins: A quick free-kick finds Ghana’s Mensah down the left and Osimhen has to put in a decisive foot to stop the cross.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:11 , Marc Mayo

8 mins: A really competitive, energetic game being played so far between two teams who are not showing too many signs of the pressure getting to them.

Both have started strongly.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:08 , Marc Mayo

5 mins: A breakaway chance for the visitors as a couple of challenges of Nigerian challenges are rebuffed Kuddus is almost found free down the left, but the pass is just overhit and Uzoho claims.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:06 , Marc Mayo

3 mins: A brief pause as VAR checked that one, with no issues and we play on with Osimhen back in the game.

Iddrisu takes a wild swipe at the next delivery and Nigeria have a corner, which is played in well by Lookman but Ghana escape.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:05 , Marc Mayo

2 mins: A first move forward for Nigeria sees Aina launch a long throw into the box, which is cleared but with Osimhen left on the ground - clutching his head.

Kick-off!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 18:02 , Marc Mayo

It’s Nigeria versus Ghana for a place at the 2022 World Cup...

HERE WE GO!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 17:58 , Marc Mayo

The national anthem of Ghana is played out with some jeers from the home support, before the locals unite in belting out the Super Eagles’ anthem.

Here come the teams!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 17:56 , Marc Mayo

A raucous atmosphere in the Nigerian capital greets them.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 17:53 , Marc Mayo

By the end of the night, we will know which five African nations will be heading to the World Cup.

Every game is either level or separated by just a single goal, after the first legs.

Find out who has already qualified here.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 17:50 , Marc Mayo

Nigerian authorities handed out 20,000 free tickets to locals for the game in Abuja, and it has certainly helped build the atmosphere.

A full house for the Jollof Derby!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 17:44 , Marc Mayo

Kick-off in just 15 minutes...

An awkward end to training

Tuesday 29 March 2022 17:39 , Marc Mayo

Last night, Ghana players were forced to pull out their phone torches after the lights went out on their training session in Abuja National Stadium.

The squad had initially refused to leave when their allocated one-hour workout finished, with groundsmen asking them to leave only to be turned away - forcing them to take drastic measures!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 17:33 , Marc Mayo

That is one change for the visitors as Sporting CP teenager Abdul Fatawu Issahaku comes out, to be replaced by St. Pauli forward Daniel-Kofi Kyereh.

Arsenal’s Thomas Partey starts in midfield with Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew also in the XI.

How Ghana line up...

Tuesday 29 March 2022 17:29 , Marc Mayo

Ghana XI: Wollacott; Odoi, Mensah, Amartey, Djiku; Iddrisu, Kudus, Partey; Afena-Gyan, Kyere, Ayew.

Tuesday 29 March 2022 17:28 , Marc Mayo

Another good luck message here from Ghana left-back Baba Rahman, the Chelsea and Reading defender unable to play today as he nears the end of recovery from injury.

A message from the former president of Ghana

Tuesday 29 March 2022 17:27 , Marc Mayo

Vote in our poll!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 17:21 , Marc Mayo

Tuesday 29 March 2022 17:19 , Marc Mayo

Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen is happy to cope with high expectations for today’s game - so long as the home fans support his team from the first to the last minute.

He said: “Our expectations as Nigeria are high, that is something I know all too well. But I am not under pressure because all of us have a responsibility regarding this match.

“And that is why I will urge all football lovers, fans, supporters clubs to come out in their numbers to support the Super Eagles on Tuesday.

“At the end of the day, everyone will be happy. We should all keep the support high, and we pray that at the end of the day everybody will be happy.

“Our game will count on Tuesday, and we will make Nigerians proud."

Tuesday 29 March 2022 17:12 , Marc Mayo

While we wait for the Ghana line-up, enjoy this “unofficial” pre-match promo...

Five changes for the Super Eagles

Tuesday 29 March 2022 17:09 , Marc Mayo

Leicester winger Ademola Lookman and Watford’s Emmanuel Dennis are both in the XI for tonight’s game, with Samuel Chukwueze missing out due to injury.

Rangers left-back Calvin Bassey also comes in, alongside Frank Onyeka and Peter Etebo.

Kelechi Iheanacho and Moses Simon are among those dropping out.

Ghana are on their way

Tuesday 29 March 2022 16:58 , Marc Mayo

Expecting team news from the visitors any moment now!

How the hosts line up...

Tuesday 29 March 2022 16:54 , Marc Mayo

Nigeria XI: Uzoho; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Balogun, Bassey; Onyeka, Etebo, Aribo; Lookman, Dennis; Osimhen.

Subs: Akpeyi, Noble, Ajayi, Omeruo, Abdullahi, Zaidu, Amoo, Simon, Musa, Iheanacho, Umar, Ighalo.

When is the World Cup draw?

Tuesday 29 March 2022 16:47 , Marc Mayo

Plenty of teams have already booked their ticket to Qatar.

Find out all the details for next month’s draw here.

Addo: ‘Pressure a privilege'

Tuesday 29 March 2022 16:39 , Marc Mayo

Ghana interim boss Otto Addo has insisted that he is not feeling any strain under the weight of expectation on him and his team.

“First of all, I have a different definition of pressure," Addo told the media. “Pressure, for me, is a privilege to sit here in front of as a coach for the Ghana national team, it's a privilege. it's not pressure for me.

“For me, I think 30 million Ghanaians will like to be here, so, it is a privilege, not a pressure. Pressure is when I have to think [about] what I eat tomorrow, this is pressure. But this is no pressure.

“We haven't won anything, so, this is football and sometimes, you play good, you lose. Sometimes, you play bad but you can win. So, it's a privilege to be here, to have the chance to go to the World Cup and we will do everything we can to qualify.”

90 minutes until kick-off!

Tuesday 29 March 2022 16:30 , Marc Mayo

Will VAR be the star of the show tonight?

Tuesday 29 March 2022 16:20 , Marc Mayo

The hosts familiarise themselves with their surroundings

Tuesday 29 March 2022 16:15 , Marc Mayo

Nigeria completed their preparations with a training session in Abuja National Stadium last night.

First leg flashback

Tuesday 29 March 2022 16:09 , Marc Mayo

This tie is incredibly well-poised following a 0-0 draw in the first leg, last week in Ghana.

Read the full report.

Click here to read the full blog on The Evening Standard's website